Singapore knocks Azkals out of AFC U23 bid

Glenn Kweh (17) watches his teammates make a play for Singapore. AFC

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Philippines will miss the AFC U23 Asian Cup after Singapore eliminated the team with a 1-0 win in the qualifying phase on Thursday night at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

The Group H bubble host moved ahead through a Glenn Kweh goal as the squad made its opponent for a sorry penalty miss from Oliver Bias.

Bias took the 22nd minute penalty off a Jordan Emaviwe foul on Kieran Hayes inside the box, but his shot only hit the crossbar to the sigh of relief of Singapore and its hometown fans.

Kweh then fired a long range effort in the 51st minute that eventually gave Singapore the win even as the team held on despite a last-second attack from the Azkals that could have forced the draw.

Now on four points following a 2-2 draw with Timor Leste on Monday night, Singapore is now in second place, and the team has a chance to enter the group stages if it stuns South Korea on Sunday night.

The U23 Azkals, on the other hand, will try to end its stint in the qualifiers on a high note against Timor Leste also on Sunday night.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno